M14 Forum

lonnie · February 5th, 2012, 12:25 PM

Took my new SOCOM16 to the range for a shake-down cruise yesterday and have a couple of questions I am hoping can be answered after all laughing is complete.

First of all I am an AK guy and am used to throwing a hand full of gravel in the action and commencing to firing a new AK so I failed to understand I should have went through a thorough new delivery clean up and de-greasing. Ignorence was not bliss as I had 3 of the first 20 rounds stick in that they would not allow the bolt to close and I had to apply some rough treatment to the charging handle a few times. I will learn M1's.

Two questions please.

1. I used Federal 7.62, 168 grain OTM that said it was specifically for M1A use and the box actually had a pic. of a SOCOM 16 on the box.
Was I newb'd on this one? are these Federals really different than their box of .308 sitting right next to it (Primer height spec, OAL, load etc..)

2. I am mustering up the courage to tear in a dis-assymble my SOCOM to the level in TONYBEN's videos which appear to be well done.
My questions surround the front end of my California SOCOM which looks much different than a normal M1A suppressor, castle nut etc. set up.
Does anyone have advice on where I can see a video on SOCOM tear down and assymbly i.e. it doesnt look as if flash suppressor pliers are even needed.

Laugh away and I would appreciate some wisdom.

Dreampiper · February 5th, 2012, 12:45 PM

Welcome to the board.

The socom front end is different from the normal m1a as in no castle nut, no bayonet lug, break instead of flash hider and changes to the gas system.

In my opinion it's always a good idea to do a detail strip and cleaning of any new to me firearm. It familiarizes you and gives you a chance to make sure there are no obvious defects. I bought a garand years ago and found the firing pin was missing. Would have made a bummer day at the range if I hadn't caught it. (It had been a prop gun in flags of our fathers).

Most weapons are shipped with a coat of protective grease to protect from corrosion. Get yourself an imported sks our other surplus rifle from long term storage and it can be a real chore cleaning all of the cosmoline out of the works.

Your socom is very reliable and durable, but made to tighter tolerances than most ak's. Give it more tlc in the cleaning and maintenance end. The design was for a professional soldier as opposed to the ak built for untrained and uncaring conscripts.

As to ammo, search the board and find a source for good military surplus 7.62x51. 308 can cause issues. Hand loads can be damaging and dangerous.

deltablack · February 5th, 2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonnie

1. I used Federal 7.62, 168 grain OTM that said it was specifically for M1A use and the box actually had a pic. of a SOCOM 16 on the box.
Was I newb'd on this one? are these Federals really different than their box of .308 sitting right next to it (Primer height spec, OAL, load etc..)

Commercial .308 ammunition operates at a higher pressure than is generally recommended for the M14/M1A system. I was under the impression that the Federal M1A ammunition was simply lower pressure ammunition. If the price was right, I wouldn't shed any tears over the purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonnie

2. I am mustering up the courage to tear in a dis-assymble my SOCOM to the level in TONYBEN's videos which appear to be well done.
My questions surround the front end of my California SOCOM which looks much different than a normal M1A suppressor, castle nut etc. set up.
Does anyone have advice on where I can see a video on SOCOM tear down and assymbly i.e. it doesnt look as if flash suppressor pliers are even needed.

If you are breaking down the Socom, the only difference from the standard and scout is there is no castle nut or flash suppressor. Because of that, you don't need the castle nut pliers. The muzzle brake on the Socom replaces the gas lock on traditional rifles, so when you unscrew the gas plug, it simply unscrews from the end of the rifle. It isn't much different, you just skip a step.

Congrats on the rifle. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine.

deltablack · February 5th, 2012, 01:45 PM

Found a decent video as well.

Coffindancer · February 5th, 2012, 02:31 PM

I have had problems with 7.62 x 51 Germen ammo, but no problems with Federal Premium, 168 grain, 308 rounds. I would like to think that Federal ammo you have is good, but if you want to do some more research, here is some info from one of the best sources around:

Quote:

If after reading all these posts on headspace you only remember two things, it is my most fervent hope you will remember these two things:

1. Do NOT use standard Nato Spec surplus ammo in a rifle chambered with a NM chamber and set up at the minimum headspace. Even if the rifle functions with no apparent problems, the chamber pressure of each round fired is significantly more than in a proper Nato Spec chamber. What you are doing is subjecting your bolt and receiver to more abuse and it will AT LEAST cause your bolt and receiver to wear out faster. If the cartridge case brass alloy of some of the questionable foreign surplus is used, you are also asking for cartridge case ruptures and gas and pieces of brass coming back into your face and possibly into your eyes.

That came from this thread if you are interested:
A little bit of everything to do with headspace.

Maybe you could find out exactly what your headspace is in order to help you figure out what's best to shoot.

lonnie · February 5th, 2012, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the info. I am using the Federal which specifically says 7.62 x 51 for the SOCOM and NOT the Federal which is labelled 308. I will not be using surplus or Euro "unknown age and origin" 762

RET DEP 04 · February 13th, 2012, 04:59 PM

Welcome to the forum from NorCal. The SOCOM platform has a few quirks which differentiate it just a little from the longer platforms. Some research here should help to get you past most of the questions that arise.

I have been shooting British Radway Green lately and I find it to be very decent quality ammo with no problems experience so far.

Keep us posted and let us know how thing are working out.